City partners with Wal-Mart Corporation to heighten stormwater quality awareness

Wal-Mart Corporation, having developed one of the strongest corporate stormwater programs in the nation, has agreed to partner with the City of Hot Springs’ Stormwater Division to mark storm drains at their three store locations within city limits.

Cutter Morning Star High School students have volunteered to perform the installation of storm drain markers at the Wal-Mart Superstores on Central Avenue and Albert Pike as well as the Sam’s Club on Higdon Ferry Road.  The markers bear the inscription, “No Dumping – Drains to Lake.”

The storm drain marking efforts underscore the fact that stormwater, or rainwater, runoff is not filtered or treated prior to entering the nearest stream or lake.  Therefore, any pollutants left outside uncovered or on the ground could be washed away during a rain storm and end up in area streams, creeks or lakes.  The markers will serve to educate store patrons to be mindful of what goes down a storm drain.

The City of Hot Springs is recognized as the first and only Qualifying Local Program in the state by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ).  Hot Springs’ stormwater program exceeds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Phase II Clean Water Act guidelines.  For more information, call Stormwater Coordinator Jessica Johnson at 321-6743.